A PARTNERSHIP between provincial government and business is driving the reopening of the 281 km East London – Mthatha rail link. The R300-million Kei Rail project is driven by the provincial government to put traffic back on the track, which was closed in 1988. Port Elizabeth-based Sheltam Grindrod is assisting with the training of drivers, the supply of locomotives and the management of a section of the railway line. The re-opening of a railway line which has been out of operation for a number of years brings with it a number of challenges, says Sheltam group operations manager Etienne Raath. “We had to identify every risk and mitigate it,” he says. Risks included the physical state of the line and ongoing maintenance, driver training and a public awareness campaign.
